Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom likes himself some counter-culture.

Last year, when young kids occupied the state Capitol in protest of cuts to higher education, he was the only lawmaker to go downstairs under the rotunda and join the protesters.

And now, today, Newsom announced plans to head an American Civil Liberties Union task force that aims to put a marijuana-legalization measure on the 2016 ballot.

“It is far past time for Californians to take a serious look at smarter approaches to marijuana, and it is imperative that happen before any marijuana ballot initiative gets underway.”

Readers of SN&R pot writer Ngaio Bealum’s weekly column probably already know that there are measures eyeing the 2014 fall election.

But with Newsom at the wheel, activists are high pot’s chances on 2016.